David LaChapelle's "Jesus Is My Homeboy" and nine other reasons to rise up during Art Basel
By Joanie Cox and Colleen Dougher
City Link Metromix
Art Basel Miami Beach, the imposingly large international art fair that many people believe reinvigorated South Florida's art scene, will return this week to the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event's promoters claim it is "the most important art show in the United States," and given the attention Art Basel receives domestically and abroad, it's tough to quarrel with that bit of hyperbole. But we've always found Art Basel to be significantly less interesting than the exhibitions, gallery shows and parties that annually take place independent of the art fair. If we can indulge in some hyperbole of our own, Art Basel affords South Florida's most-creative visual artists the exposure they scramble and scrape after all year, as galleries large and small exhibit their works throughout the design districts. It also brings its share of art stars and celebrity hangers-on to the area, some of whom actually deserve recognition. Because it's damn near impossible to keep up with the number of art shows opening this week, we've spotlighted 10 we believe should not be missed. For more information on the main event, which will take place Thursday through Sunday, visit Artbaselmiamibeach.com.
